Nittany Lions Open With a Statement, 16-9

The #2 Ranked Penn State Nittany Lions opened their 2020 NCAA DI season with a statement, 16-9 victory over the Lafayette Leopards at Panzer Stadium in University Park.

A record setting with Gerald Arceri laying claim to the Penn State loose ball record with his 450th.

Arceri picked up 15 for the game and was dominant from the “X” with an amazing 19 of 21.

It became the Usual Suspects for Penn State with Mac O’ Keefe (6g,1a) and Grant Ament (4g,6a) leading the way.

Lafayette held a lead when Nick Jessen (2g) scoring with just 1:50 played.

The Nittany Lions started slow but went on a huge run with Ament, O’Keefe and Kevin Hill (1g) closing the opening stanza with the home team leading, 3-1.

The onslaught would pick right back up with Ament, O’Keefe and a second from Ament in just 2:55 got it to 6-1 before Jack Traynor (2g) and O’Keefe with the first of four man up rallies blew it open, 8-1.

Bryan Hess (1g) finally scored for Lafayette to close the half with the Leopards in an 8-2 hole.

Penn State actually was in a scoring rut that was ended after 12:00 when Ament went to work setting up TJ Malone (1g,1a).

Lafayette started to find their legs with Cole Dutton (1g) and Ian MacCauley (2g) chipping at the PSU lead.

All that seemed to do was annoy the home team and O’Keefe, Jack Traynor, a man advantage goal from Dylan Foulds (1g,1a),another man up from O’Keefe and Tj Malone setting up O’ Keefe before Ament closed the third quarter with Penn State firmly in front, 15-4..

The Lions sat their starters for the final stanza and The Leopards took advantage with a five goal uprising with Andrew Robbins bagging a man up goal, Jessen nailed his second,Ryan Duncan (1g,1a) and Robbins hit for his second to close the gap, 15-8.

Mitch Schaefer (1g) recorded his first goal in his career to stop the inroads Lafayette made.

Mac Cauley closed the book on the 16-9 PSU victory.

Dis and Dat: Penn State had the edge in shots, 36-30 and loose balls, 33-20.

PSU, as mentioned prior, were outstanding with 22 of 27 on face offs.

Kevin Neibauer

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.

Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.

A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.